United Kingdom: Discrimination, Disability & Sexual Harassment

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has issued crucial guidance on when market forces and recruitment pressures can justify pay disparities between employees performing equal work. In Next Retail Ltd v Thandi, the EAT clarified the boundaries of the material factor defence in equal pay claims, examining when operational requirements and distinct labour markets may legitimately support different pay rates.

Starting October 2026, UK employers face heightened obligations to prevent workplace harassment, including a new duty to protect employees from third-party harassment by clients, customers, and contractors. The Employment Rights Act 2025 raises the standard from "reasonable steps" to "all reasonable steps," while simultaneously doubling the time limit for Employment Tribunal claims from three to six months. Companies must implement comprehensive risk assessments, training programs, and documented policies t

A trainee solicitor shares her journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis at age 28 and explores how neurodiversity can be both a challenge and an asset in legal practice. Through personal experience, she examines common misconceptions about ADHD in professional women and demonstrates how traits like hyperfocus and curiosity translate into workplace strengths.

What key changes can employers expect from the ERA 2025 in October 2026?

From 1 October 2026, employment tribunal claim time limits in England, Wales and Scotland will double from three to six months for most claims including unfair dismissal and discrimination. Combined with extended early conciliation periods, employers may face nearly 10 months before claims are submitted, creating challenges for evidence preservation and witness availability.

Sustaining an injury in a workplace accident can affect your health, your income and your day to day life. If the accident happened because your employer failed to keep you safe, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

The Government is considering whether the employment rights available to unpaid carers should go further. A new consultation explores everything from extending carers’ leave and introducing paid leave for the first time to creating new protections for parents whose children are diagnosed with a serious illness. Although no law has changed yet, the proposals offer an early indication of where employment law may be heading and give employers an opportunity to prepare.

This comprehensive update examines recent Employment Appeal Tribunal decisions on disability discrimination and the right to be accompanied, while analyzing the phased implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and its far-reaching implications for UK employers. The article explores critical changes to unfair dismissal qualifying periods, trade union rights, tipping regulations, and harassment law, alongside new guidance on gender pay gap reporting and workplace monitoring technologies.

From October 2026, UK employers will face significantly tougher legal obligations to prevent workplace harassment, including a new duty to protect employees from harassment by third parties such as clients and customers.